Short film ‘NightmARes’ explores the scary side of augmented reality

Put on a headset and step inside a frighteningly immersive environment, where all is not as it seems.

The wonders of modern technology have offered us plenty of escape from our hum-drum realities.

First there was “virtual reality” – which gave us the ability to strap on a headset and immerse ourselves in a very real-seeming world outside of our own.

Now “augmented reality,” which aims to bring artificial elements into our real environments, is quickly moving into the mainstream. You know those cool new Snapchat filters that make it look like it’s snowing in your living room? And Pokémon GO unleashed a host of cute creatures into our world causing just about everyone to lose their minds.

But, what are the implications of augmented reality as we move into the future and the technology becomes more advanced? Charlie Brooker explored this idea as it relates to the horror gaming industry in the “Playtest” episode of his modern-day dystopian tech-focused series Black Mirror.

Now, British director James Mansell has delivered a frightening short, NightmARes which further explores the potential terrors of modern augmented reality technology.

Seth Sherwood (HELLFEST, LEATHERFACE etc.) is attached to adapt NightmARes into a tech horror film on a global scale.